Black Hills State men’s basketball and head coach Ryan Thompson have announced the program’s full 2023-24 signing class, consisting of 10 additions.
After adding Jackson Edman in the Fall, the Yellow Jackets have inked nine more to round out the group that includes two from Colorado, two from South Dakota, and one from each Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, and Wyoming, as well as the Bahamas and Iceland.
“We had a lot to replace with this year’s recruiting class, and we feel great about the group we have coming in,” said Thompson. “We have great athleticism and versatility with this group. Most important, we love the character of these ten student-athletes and look forward to working with them this fall.”
Matias Aldana – Fr., F, Fredrick H.S., Fredrick, Colo.
Before BHSU: Played 53 varsity games, averaging 9.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game … as a senior, averaged 12.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.8 blocks per game … went 25-2 and lost in the Colorado 5A State semifinal game as a senior.
Ólafur Gunnlaugsson – Jr., F, Florida Southern, Reykjavik, Iceland
Florida Southern: Spent two years with FSU, appearing in 15 games and starting one … averaged 8.5 minutes per game over 128 total minutes … averaged 3.7 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game … shot 36.5 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from beyond the arc … had career-high 15-point game and made career-best five threes in the same game as a freshman.
High School: Averaged 25 points, nine rebounds and three assists per game during high school career … also shot 38 percent from beyond the arc and 63 percent from the field … won the U16 Scania Cup in Sweden and was named to the All-Star team … won the Silver Medal in the 2022 U20 European Championship for second time in Iceland’s history, where he averaged 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists.
Myles Johnson – Jr., G, Kalamazoo Valley CC, Portage, Mich.
Kalamazoo Valley CC: Played in 61 games over his freshman and sophomore seasons, and started 42 … as a sophomore, started 28 of 30 games … averaged 21.6 points per game and shot a 50.8 shooting percentage from the field … averaged 6.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game … over his two years, has totaled 1,165 career points with a 54.7 shooting percentage … was West MCCAA Player of the Year … NCJAA D2 Third Team All-American … helped team to 23-7 finish on their way to winning the West MCCAA Conference.
High School: Averaged 15 points, four rebounds and two assists during his career at Portage Northern High School … was named All-State.
Dawson Mohr – So., G, Northern Colorado, Scottsbluff, Neb.
Northern Colorado: After redshirting the 2021-22 season he appeared in three games in 2022-23 … totaled nine minutes across the three games, and made the only shot he took, a three-pointer against Weber State (2/6).
High School: Named All-Western Conference and All-GNAC honors as a sophomore and junior … All-State honorable mention as a junior … school’s single season record holder in steals … played at IMG Academy his senior season … three sport athlete at Scottsbluff High School.
Joel Speckman – Fr., F, Chaparral H.S., Parker, Colo.
Before BHSU: Averaged 12.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists over his three varsity seasons … holds the all-time rebounding record and season rebounding average at Chaparral H.S. … named First Team All-State and First Team All-League in senior year … junior year earned All-State Honorable Mention and First Team All-Conference … Academic All-State as a sophomore … was a team captain his junior and senior years … was in the West Coast Elite Top 20 games where he played with several McDonalds All-Americans … played in the Colorado All-State game.
Nick Strachan – Jr., G, Hillsborough CC, Nassau, Bahamas
Hillsborough CC: Started 23 games as a sophomore in the 2022-23 season … averaged 9.4 points per game, shooting 55.6 percent from the field … averaged 5.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.
Emmanuel College: Played as a freshman in the 2021-22 season … totaled 48 minutes on the court and finished the year with 12 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a steal.
High School: Was named All-Big Ben and All-State Second Team at St. John Paul II Catholic High School.
Ronnail Tape – Jr., F, State College of Florida, Fort Myers, Fla.
State College of Florida: Over two seasons, appeared in 54 games and started 37 … totaled 303 points and 248 rebounds while averaging 5.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game … as a sophomore in the 2022-23 season, averaged 7.9 points per game shooting at a 48.5 percent clip from the field … averaged 4.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game as a sophomore.
High School: Played in 80 varsity games at Lehigh Acres High School … in senior year, averaged 14.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, while also averaging a steal and 1.2 blocks per game … tallied over 700 points and 500 rebounds during his time.
Blake Volmer – Fr., G, Winner High School, Winner, S.D.
Before BHSU: Played in 74 varsity games over three years … averaged 16.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists in career … in senior year, averaged 19.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game … totaled nearly 1,200 points and 700 rebounds during his time at WHS.
Deegan Williams – So., G, Central Arizona College, Gillette, Wyo.
Central Arizona College: Played in and started 27 games as a freshman in 2022-23 … averaged 6.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game … totaled 168 points, 111 rebounds and 143 assists.
High School: Was named 2022 Wyoming Gatorade Player of the Year … appeared in two State Championships, and won one … as a senior, averaged 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists per game … three-time First Team All-State.